The new International Rugby Board World Sevens Series, featuring 10 tournaments in as many countries between December and May, will kick- off in Dubai on December 2/3. The Council of the IRB, at its recent meeting in Cardiff, approved plans for the tournament and was told by Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the Board’s international matches and tours committee, that arrangements had been completed to launch the series and for hosting each event. “This is a very exciting adventure for the IRB”, he said. “We have to recognise how much has been achieved by the tournament organisers in each country and by our own staff in the short time since we decided to explore the potential of a structured international sevens series.” Teams from the major sevens unions hosting tournaments, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Fiji and Japan along with Samoa, USA and the Home Unions will provide the core entry for the series. Additional teams will compete in their own geographic regions with each tournament having 16 teams with the exception of Hong Kong who will continue to have 24 entries. A ranking system promoted through the Series Broadcasters will be an integral part of the World Sevens Series, with points being awarded based on team results in each tournament. “The series mix is a perfect one,” said Lapasset, who sees seven a- side-rugby as an ideal vehicle to promote and develop rugby world wide in that it provides a high level of exciting action with a game that is more easily understood by those not familiar with the complexities of the 15-a-side game. The IRB World Sevens Series schedule for 1999-2000 is: December 2/3, Dubai, host Arabian Gulf RFU December 10/11, Stellenbosch, South African RFU January 6/7, Punta del Este, Union de Rugby del Uruguay January 12/13, Mar del Plata, Union Argentina de Rugby February 5/6, Wellington, New Zealand RU February 12/13, venue tba, Australian RU February 19/20, Suva, Fiji Rugby Union March 24/26, Hong Kong, Hong Kong RFU April 1/2 Tokyo, Japan Rugby Union May 27/29, Paris, Federation Franþaise de Rugby For further information please contact the IRB Fraser Neill, IRB Tournaments Manager. Tel: +353 1 662 5444, Fax: +353 1 676 9334 Sevens Logo available: Michelle Treacy/Clair O’Riordan. Tel: +353 1 662 5444 IRB Website: www.irfb.com